But Steve McClaren admits that the penny is beginning to drop for his own side as he prepares for the tough battle that lies ahead.

McClaren was handed a £52million war chest this summer to improve on Newcastle’s 15th-place finish last term, but knows his players are up against it as they take on the club that have now spent over a billion pounds since Sheik Mansour took over at Man City.

United fans can only dream of such money being pumped into the transfer kitty at St James’ Park.

However, McClaren is confident that his players are at least starting to take notice of what Newcastle fans demand from their players.

Last season Newcastle’s hardcore away support displayed a simple banner which read: “We don’t demand a team that wins – we demand a club that tries.”

McClaren was quick to acknowledge that in June when he said: “I couldn’t write a better banner myself.”

Now, having had three months to work with a squad that narrowly avoided relegation, McClaren feels his team are starting to strike a chord with the Toon Army.

Ahead of the trip to Man City, McClaren hopes to see a similar display to Chelsea, he said: “Last week was encouraging, not just the performance, but the atmosphere of the stadium.

“The fans are showing acceptance of the style of play.

“We need more of what the players put into that game.”

Last season Newcastle put in a shameful display against Man City on a day when many felt that some of the current crop of players rolled over in a 5-0 defeat.

Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren walks to the dressing room with his players

Now though, McClaren wants to see a “good attitude” and genuine “effort” from his players.

He said: “It’s all we ask here. I don’t think that’s a lot.

“We often talk about perfect performances but that will never be.

“But you CAN have perfect effort. You can always give 100%, there is no reason why you can’t.

“We have to do that on a consistent basis.”

Meanwhile, Man City star Pablo Zabaleta says he is astonished to see a club of Newcastle’s size in the position they are in.

He said: “I’m very surprised to see Newcastle where they are because of the experience they had towards the end of last season.

“After that situation, you expect to bring in new players – which has happened – but the results haven’t been good so far, though there was a definite improvement against Chelsea last weekend.

“It’s not my club, but for me it is a real shame to see them in that situation.

“Newcastle is a club that has a fantastic stadium and great supporters who fill their ground every week.

“St James’ Park is a place I love to play at and probably the away ground I look forward to playing at the most each season.

“They went down the first season I came to England but came back up again under Alan Pardew and have done OK since

“But they have a new coach now and there is a long way to go so there is time for them to improve and climb the table.